March 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Shelby County Emergency Management officials have lowered the county’s fire danger rating from High to “Moderate.” EMA Coordinator Bob Seivert says cooler temperatures, recent and expected moisture will provide a small window for this weekend.

If you have a pile of brush or waste to burn, please call the EMA at 755-2124 and contact your local Fire Chief, so that we are aware of the location and nature of the controlled burn. Please be aware that your city ordinances regarding burn times, and open burning, are all in effect.

March 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Shelby County will offer the Certified Handlers Continuing Instructional Course (CIC) Wednesday, March 26, 2014. The program will be shown across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pest Management and the Environment program (PME).

The local attendance site is 906 6th St., Harlan. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the course runs from 9 to 11 a.m. The registration fee is $35 on or before March 19 and $45 after March 19. To register or obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Shelby County by calling 712-755-3104.

The course will provide continuing instructional credit for certified handlers. Topics to be covered include effects of pesticides on groundwater and other non-target sites; responding to spills and accidents; secondary containment requirements; pesticide container handling and disposal; and non-target injury and community problems associated with pesticide handling facilities.

Additional information and registration forms for this and other courses offered by the PME program can be accessed at www.extension.iastate.edu/PME/.

March 19th, 2014 by Chris Parks

March 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Cass County Youth Coordinator Beth Irlbeck says the County 4-H Clubs invite the public to attend their annual 4-H Mardi Gras carnival on Sunday, March 23rd. Irlbeck say “Mardi Gras includes fun, food, & carnival-type games for kids of all ages. The event is scheduled from 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. We are so excited to offer many activities for families.”

The Youth Action Committee and Youth Council are sponsoring this county-wide event and are inviting all Cass County families to come out and join the fun. Admission is just 50-cents per person and tickets cost 10-cents each. Each 4-H club determines how many tickets to charge to play their game. All proceeds from this event go to the 4-H clubs and the Youth Council. For more information, call 712-243-1132.

March 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say 2013 was another year of safe hunting in the state. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says no fatalities were recorded last year during hunting seasons. However, there were 11 injuries and six cases of property damage.

Megan Wisecup, safety education programs coordinator, says there’s been a trend of self-inflicted incidents over the last four to five years. Officials recommend that hunters remember basic firearm handling.

Wisecup says mandatory hunter education courses are part of a drastic drop in hunting incidents. In the 1960s, officials recorded more than 100 incidents and up to 20 fatalities a year.

March 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Two more counties are being be added to the list of counties in the KJAN listening area which have called for a ban on open burning. A Burn Ban went into effect at 10-a.m. Tuesday, for Fremont County. Later that same day, emergency management officials in Page, Pottawattamie and Montgomery Counties announced Burn Bans would be in effect in those counties beginning at 8-a.m. today (Wednesday). The bans will remain in effect until further notice.

The current dry conditions throughout the region have caused an increase in fire responses throughout eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa. As dry conditions persist, dead and drying vegetation is the perfect fuel to spread fires rapidly. Pottawattamie County EMA Director Doug Reed says Pott. County “Has seen the devastating effects of fire in extreme conditions and we want to do everything we can to help mitigate an incident like that from occurring.”

During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris or other items during the ban. Small recreational camp fires are permitted only if they are conducted in a fire place of brick, metal or heavy one-inch wire mesh. Any camp fire not in an outdoor fire place is prohibited.

Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to citation or arrest for reckless use of fire or disobeying a burn ban.

March 18th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Pottawattamie County Emergency Management reports a burning ban will be in place for Pottawattamie County starting Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. The ban prohibits open burning in Pottawattamie County, including all the cities within the county.

The current dry conditions throughout the region have caused an increase in fire responses throughout eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa. As dry conditions persist, dead and drying vegetation is the perfect fuel to spread fires rapidly. EMA Director Doug Reed says Pott. County “Has seen the devastating effects of fire in extreme conditions and we want to do everything we can to help mitigate an incident like that from occurring.”

During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris or other items during the ban. Small recreational camp fires are permitted only if they are conducted in a fire place of brick, metal or heavy one-inch wire mesh. Any camp fire not in an outdoor fire place is prohibited.

Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to citation or arrest for reckless use of fire or disobeying a burn ban. For more information on burn bans and the law you can find further information on our facebook page or you may call 712-328-5777.

March 18th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman has announced a Burn Ban will be in effect for that county beginning at 8-a.m. Tuesday and lasting until further notice. Fremont County has already instituted a ban on open, outdoor burning. Hamman says several other counties in southwest Iowa are in the process of issuing a Burn Ban.

March 18th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Fremont County is the first of what is likely to become many counties in southwest Iowa to request and receive approval for the instituting of a ban on outdoor burning from the State. The State Fire Marshal’s Office received the request today (Tuesday) from Fremont County Emergency Manager Mike Crecelius. Crecelius represents each of the fire departments within the County, in their request to implement a Burn Ban effective immediately, and lasting until further notice.

The Ban states that conditions in Fremont County are such that open burning constitutes a danger to life or property, and requires that no person engage in open burning except until such time the fire district chiefs feel the danger is reduced or no longer exists.

Violating the Burn Ban is a simple misdemeanor, which requires a court appearance.